Automated Assessment of Cognitive Function in Nonhuman Primates

Vulnerability to, and mechanisms of, neurotoxic exposures vary throughout the lifespan. Accordingly, to evaluate the risks posed by various neurotoxicants to humans, it is critical to model the effects of exposure at various stages of development. During the last 20 years, great utility has been made of nonhuman primates (NHPs) in the evaluation of the effects of in utero, perinatal, juvenile, and adolescent exposures to toxic substances. The relevance of this work has been demonstrated through the use of translational cognitive test batteries that can be used in humans and nonhumans alike. These instruments facilitate the transfer of preclinical findings to the clinical environment, and allow for the changes observed in the preclinical setting to be correlated with more traditional clinical metrics such as IQ. Here we review recent NHP work that has focused on the assessment of cognition throughout development, and its use as an endpoint in the evaluation of developmental neurotoxic effects.